New York City, NY – Senator Samra Brouk and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Chairs of the Mental Health Committees in their respective houses, released the following statement regarding the mental health crisis response and shooting of then 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty from Jamaica, Queens:

“The NYPD shooting of Jabez Chakraborty illustrates the systemic failures of New York’s mental health system. Despite repeated efforts to secure mental health care, Jabez’s family was left alone to support him after he was discharged from the hospital and placed on a waiting list for further care. As his unmet needs grew into a mental health crisis, his family called 911, informed them of his schizophrenia, and requested transfer to a hospital. Police responded, which intimidated Jabez, causing him to reach for a knife to protect himself, and the situation rapidly escalated. Within 16 seconds of entering the home, officers shot and seriously wounded Jabez.

Tragedies like this underscore the need for greater investment in preventive care and an evidence-based response to mental health crises. Decades of disinvestment have left New York with too few hospital beds and too many outpatient clinics scraping by on shoestring budgets. When first responders intervene, situations can escalate rather than resolve. We cannot continue to ask police officers to function as mental health care providers. 

Daniel’s Law (S3670) exists for moments like this. Daniel’s Law would establish a statewide framework to deploy a crisis response team of trained mental health professionals, including peers with lived experience, to handle and de-escalate such emergencies. The evidence is clear: trained, non-police crisis teams reduce harm, improve outcomes, and build trust. The current Daniel’s Law pilot programs must be expanded to ensure all individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are met with compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Mayor Mamdani’s proposal to establish a Department of Community Safety echoes the evidence-driven basis for Daniel’s Law: sending mental health experts to meet individuals in a mental health crisis is both safe and effective. Building an alternative crisis response infrastructure requires careful planning. If we work together, we can get this right. Lives depend on it.”